The article on Horatio has been labelled "disgusting" and "vile". Credit: PA

An inquest into the teenager's death heard that the elderly polar bear had been suffering from worn-down teeth which would have led it to becoming stressed and behaving more "aggressively and unpredictably".

[The bear] had badly aligned teeth causing them to wear down more than normal.

It's probable it affected the bear's ability to gain food and if the bear is in pain it would have increased levels of stress causing it to behave more aggressively and unpredictably than it would otherwise.

– Assistant coroner Ian Singleton

The Socialist Worker, which has been published weekly since 1968, could not be reached for a comment.